LUBBOCK, Texas - The Texas Tech soccer team's historic 2012 season was rewarded Monday afternoon as the program officially received its first-ever bid to the NCAA Championships.

The Red Raiders (15-5-1) will host North Texas Saturday in a first round match at the John Walker Soccer Complex with first kick set for 7 p.m.

"It's just incredible," head coach Tom Stone said Monday. "It's such a great moment for this program and is a reflection of the commitment this university has made to women's soccer. We are thrilled to be able to host the first round and bring the NCAA Championships to Lubbock and our incredible fan base."

The winner of Saturday's match will advance to the regional round the NCAA Championships and face the winner between No. 1 seed Florida State and Mississippi Valley State.

The announcement came inside a jubilant meeting room at the John Walker Soccer Complex as the team gathered for an official watching party alongside the staff members and university officials.

The Red Raiders are coming off the program's first-ever postseason victory at the Big 12 Championships as Tech defeated Kansas 2-0 on Oct. 31 to advance to the semifinals of the tournament. Meanwhile, they enter Saturday's match with an 8-1 record in games played at the John Walker Soccer Complex where the Red Raiders are outscoring opponents 21-6.

Texas Tech enters the NCAA Championships in the midst of the best season in program history after previously breaking the school record for wins in front of a nationally televised audience on FOX Soccer Channel with a 2-0 shutout of Oklahoma State on Oct. 26.

The Red Raiders ended the regular season by placing a school record four players on the All-Big 12 First Team including Big 12 Rookie of the Year winner Janine Beckie. Tech has won seven of its last 10 matches.

The series record between the two schools is tied 4-4, with the Red Raiders taking the most recent meeting in a 1-0 victory at the John Walker Soccer Complex in 2010.

2012 NCAA Soccer Championships - First Round - Saturday Nov. 10, 2012
Fans can purchase tickets over the phone (742-TECH), by visiting the Texas Tech Athletics Ticket Office, or the day of game at the stadium.
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